Terrorists have launched fresh coordinated attacks on multiple communities in Zamfara State within the last 48 hours, abducting residents, looting properties, and forcing terrified villagers to abandon their homes in droves.
SaharaReporters learnt that the latest incidents occurred in Yan Uku community under Garbadu Ward, Talata Mafara Local Government Area, and spread to neighbouring villages, including Farin Dutse.
A resident who spoke under condition of anonymity said his elder brother, identified as Muhammadu Lakada, was abducted at about 8 p.m. on Tuesday after returning from the market.
“This is the second time in one year they are taking him away. He was abducted last year around this same period,” he said.
“Yesterday, they came again, took him, his son, and another neighbour, Lauwali. They later released his son but told him to report back home with a phone number.”
According to him, the attackers had robbed Lakada days earlier, stripping him of his shoes, cap, and new clothes before returning to carry out the abduction.
The fresh wave of attacks has triggered mass displacement as villagers flee to neighbouring towns and even out of the state entirely.
SaharaReporters gathered that the terrorists returned on Wednesday evening in broad daylight, raiding Farin Dutse and other surrounding settlements at about 5 p.m., abducting more people and moving them into the bush without resistance.
“Majority of the villagers have already migrated. I got a call from someone saying bandits were sighted in nearby villages, so people are abandoning their homes to save their lives. Many will not sleep in their houses tonight,” another resident said.
Residents say security forces remain largely absent as terrorists operate freely, plunging communities into fear and forcing locals to live like displaced persons in their state.
The Zamfara State Police Command Spokesman, Yezid Abubakar, was unavailable for comment at the time of filing this report, having not responded to calls or text messages.
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